Pampattam (snake dance) (Tamil:பாம்பாட்டம்) is a folk dance fromTamil country,India.[1] Snakes considered as the protecting divinity which safeguards the health and prosperity. Snakes are also related to the Hindu deityMurugan. Usually girls perform this dance with asnake skin-like costume.[2] The performer simulates snake movements, writhing, creeping and making quick biting movements with the head and hands. The hands are also held together to look like the hood of acobra.
In the classical dance formBharata Natyam the snake dance is performed in a manner similar to the old folk dance.[citation needed]